Social media reacts to Albanian mother’s plight

An Albanian immigrant’s legal status and possible deportation has social media users debating the enforcement of the country’s immigration laws.

According to reports, Troy resident and mother of three Cile Precetaj came to the U.S. illegally from Albania in 2000 to escape abuse and hardship. Precetaj recently faced deportation on Tuesday morning, receiving only a 24-hour notice after 13 years in the country. She had previously applied for and was denied asylum in 2007.

Her deportation was postponed for review after she refused to show up at Detroit Metro Airport.

Coincidentally, Gov. Rick Snyder hosted the first naturalization ceremony for 25 Michigan residents in the Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday in a gesture affirming that Michigan is a place for immigrants to come and take part in the state’s comeback.The ceremony was co-hosted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Advertisement

Precetaj could not be reached for comment, but The Oakland Press Facebook and Twitter accounts were abuzz with various perspectives on the woman’s plight.

Becky Bauch believes the country’s immigration laws are too lenient and no exceptions should be made.

“We Americans would never be allowed in another country without being jailed or killed,” she said. “Americans need to stop pampering other countries and their people and focus on our own.”

Erik Davenport said if his mother can gain citizenship, others are more than capable — but believes there might be more to the story.

“My mother came here in 1963, from Norway on a visa,” he said. “She gained her citzenship in 1969, which this test is a test that I would say 90 percent of Americans would fail. If she wanted to be an American she could have tried to gain citizenship legally in that time. My question is why. I say there is more to this story than what is being told.”

User Dave Page argues that the law should apply to Precetaj as much as it applies to anyone else who is in the U.S. illegally.

“She’s here illegally, came here illegally, was refused asylum and refused to follow proper procedures,” he said. “She is a criminal who needs to go. If she loved this country so much why didn’t she try and get citizenship?”

Neil Baxter believes there should be a middle ground.

“While I fully support immigration laws, I also have a heart,” he said. “According to reporting, when she entered the country she tried to obtain legal status and was denied. In my book that doesn’t make her a criminal, rather, a person looking to the United States for hope and a system the failed her.”

Gail McAskin believes the government should show some compassion for the woman, whose children are American citizens.

“She’s married (and) has children who are Americans,” she said. “Does the judge not have compassion for them? They would have to go with her; is that how we treat our citizens?”

Suzy Storrs said she’ll die in her home country; Albania is notorious for its history of human trafficking.

“Leave her here,” she said. “She is doing better for herself and others. She will die in her country.”

Some users believe that resources are being wasted by deporting people like Precetaj, who other than violating immigration laws, have presumably done nothing unlawful or violent.

Kristin Marie Stenquist said that violent criminals should be feeling the brunt of immigration enforcement.

“Due to an application of asylum, you cannot switch that for a visa application,” she said. “It’s ridiculous that so many resources are wasted punishing vulnerable women and not criminals. Rather than rip apart families, support them all by focusing on deporting criminals.”

Tyler Hilliker said, “Well, was she lawfully employed, convicted of no crimes here and not a drain on our welfare system? Let her stay if she is a productive member of society. If she is a leech on the system or a criminal like some are, deport her.”

Travis LaFalce said, “Another reason we need the DREAM Act and a path to citizenship. How is a working mother a threat to national security?”

Gov. Snyder’s statements at Wednesday’s naturalization ceremony echoed the vision many immigrants seeking a new life U.S. might hold.

“It’s possible that one of the people becoming a citizen today could be the next Meijer, Dow, Vlasic or Ford – great Michigan companies started by immigrants or children of immigrants,” Snyder said. “Our success has always been the product of our unique capacity to welcome the contributions and spirit of entrepreneurship of all people.”

But that vision might prove unattainable for many in Precetaj’s precarious position.